Set on St. Peter's Church Road just outside downtown Conover, North Carolina, St. Peter's Lutheran Church has served the Catawba County area as a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation for two centuries. The church's stated mission is that "God has called us to share, serve, and grow with the love of Jesus," and that threefold rhythm shapes everything from Sunday worship to Wednesday choir practice. St. Peter's is known in the area for offering two distinct Sunday services under one roof: a contemporary service designed for accessibility and a traditional service rooted in centuries of Lutheran liturgy.
Two Services, One Sunday Morning
Every Sunday, St. Peter's holds two services in its sanctuary. The first begins at 8:10 a.m. and is led as a contemporary service featuring current worship songs as well as new hymn arrangements, while still retaining some elements drawn from the liturgy. The second begins at 10:45 a.m. and is a traditional service that uses the full Lutheran liturgy and the hymnody of the church's heritage. Both services are led by the pastoral staff and include Holy Communion on the Sundays it is offered.
Fellowship time follows the contemporary service on the second Sunday of each month in the Spirit Center. For those who cannot attend either morning service, a Mobile Homebound Communion is offered at 4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month in the sanctuary. The half-hour service is designed for people with health or mobility concerns, as well as those whose work schedules keep them from Sunday morning worship.
Sunday School at 9:30
Between the two Sunday services, Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 10:30 a.m. Children's classes gather on the second floor of the Education Building: babies through kindergarten in Room 1 with Brenda Fulbright and Alice Layne, K-2nd grade in Room 8 with Emily Schwandt, and 3rd through 6th grade in Room 7 with Terry Sigmon. Middle school and high school students meet in Room 4 with John Adams. The Confirmation Class meets in the Library of the Education Building with Pastor Frank, Pastor Eric, and Kim Kaylor.
Adults have several options at the same hour. A class for adults of all ages meets in Room 2 with Kim and Kevin Gantt; a Ladies Sunday School meets in the Grover Herman Room with Beth Lail; another adult class meets in the multipurpose room with Christal Sigmon; and the Pastors' Class meets in the Parish Hall with Pastor Frank and Pastor Eric.
Holy Communion: A Biblical Stewardship
St. Peter's observes a Biblically founded stewardship of the Lord's Supper that is characteristic of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Baptized Christians who have been instructed in the Lord's Supper and who share the faith in Christ proclaimed at St. Peter's are welcome to the altar. The church summarizes the confession required of those receiving communion in four points: repentance from sin, faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, baptism into the Triune God, and belief that the Risen Christ is really present in the Sacrament so that the bread and wine convey His true Body and Blood.
Those who choose not to receive the sacrament are invited to remain seated. Ushers can bring the sacrament directly to anyone unable to come to the altar rail, and grape juice is available for those who need it. Children who have not received instruction are welcome to come forward for a blessing. The statement is signed by Pastor Peter Frank, Pastor Eric Hauss, and the Board of Elders.
Confirmation for Seventh and Eighth Graders
Confirmation at St. Peter's is described as reaffirming God-given faith. Classes are typically offered for youth in seventh and eighth grades and review basic Bible stories alongside Lutheran teaching and practice. Because the class is ongoing, youth and parents can join the conversation at any point by contacting Pastor Frank or Pastor Eric through the church office.
Becoming a Member
An Adult New Member Class walks new members through what Lutheran Christianity teaches and what it means to be part of St. Peter's. The class begins in May and uses a multi-track approach so people can start where they are on their faith journey without repeating material they already know. The class is designed for anyone who is new to the Christian faith, new to Lutheranism, new to the LCMS, or simply new to St. Peter's. Topics include what the church believes, teaches, and confesses about Jesus Christ, the gifts He gives through His Church, and what it means to share, serve, and grow at St. Peter's. To join a class, prospective members set up a time with Pastor Frank or Pastor Eric through the church office at (828) 256-2970.
The Adult Choir and Praise Team
The Adult Choir is open to anyone age 16 and up who enjoys singing and praising God. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the church, and the choir performs anthems about once a month, taking time off during the summer months. Drew Stiles leads the contemporary praise team that supports the 8:10 a.m. service, and Carolyn Paschal serves as Music Director and Organist, anchoring the 10:45 a.m. service with traditional Lutheran hymnody.
Quilters on Monday Mornings
St. Peter's Quilters is a long-running hands-on ministry for ladies and gentlemen who meet on Monday mornings in the Parish Hall beginning at 8:30 a.m. The group's purpose is to provide warmth and comfort to those in need. Quilts are made and donated to organizations including Samaritan's Purse, local soup kitchens serving the homeless, orphanages, Hospice for patients and bereavement camps for children who have lost a family member or friend, school children, and other individuals and organizations in need. The mornings combine work and fellowship, including a shared lunch together.
Golden Agers
The Golden Agers is a fellowship group of senior citizens that meets in the Parish Hall at 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, though all ages are welcome to attend. Each gathering opens with devotions, a Bible study, or a presentation by a community organization, followed by a brief business meeting and a closing prayer. The group typically shares lunch at a local restaurant.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School at St. Peter's is held each summer. The week of programming combines a shared meal at 5:00 p.m. with activities running from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. each evening. Through Bible stories, worship, songs, games, and hands-on activities, children are invited to explore who Jesus is, what He has done, and who they are because of Him. Adults who want to serve as volunteers must complete a background check, and adults who prefer not to volunteer are welcome to attend Pastor Frank's Bible Study in the Sanctuary during the same week.
Preaching Through Titus
St. Peter's sermons are archived online and are organized by series, preacher, and topic. The most recent preaching series, "Titus: A Guide for Life in Christ," moved through the entire Pastoral Epistle from "The God Who Never Lies" (Titus 1:1-4) through "Hold Firm to the Trustworthy Word" (Titus 1:5-16), "Adorn the Doctrine of God" (Titus 2:1-10), "Living Godly Lives in the Present Age" (Titus 2:11-3:2), and finally "Saved According to His Own Mercy" (Titus 3:3-15). Rev. Peter Frank preached the series, and recurring themes across the preaching include the credibility of Christian witness, God's trustworthy Word, the doctrine of Law and Gospel, and assurance of salvation by grace through mercy rather than by works.
Past livestream recordings are available on the church's YouTube channel, with services filmed at both the 8:10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. The 10:45 a.m. service is also broadcast on radio through WAIZ 105.9 FM or 630 AM for those who want to worship remotely.
Sharing, Serving, and Growing
The mission statement at St. Peter's is built around three verbs. To share is to make disciples in the words of Matthew 28:19 - sharing life and faith in Christ for the purpose of bringing others closer to Jesus. To serve is to give of time, skills, talents, resources, and treasures so others can be connected to Jesus, anchored in the generosity language of 2 Corinthians 9:11. To grow is to invest in relationship with Christ through study of the Word and fellowship with other believers, reflecting 2 Peter 3:18's call to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Pastoral and Ministry Staff
The pastoral team at St. Peter's is led by Rev. Peter Frank, who serves as Senior Pastor and was installed in the role on a Sunday in June 2024. Rev. Eric Hauss serves as Assistant Pastor. Kim Kaylor directs Family Ministries and works alongside the pastors in the Confirmation class. Carolyn Paschal serves as Music Director and Organist, and Drew Stiles leads the praise team for the contemporary service. Office operations are handled by Administrative Assistant Nancy Bruce.
LCMS Identity and Beliefs
St. Peter's Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). As an LCMS congregation, St. Peter's uses the Lutheran hymnal and follows the historic liturgy of the Western church as it has been received and shaped within the Lutheran Reformation. The preaching regularly references Law and Gospel, justification by grace through faith, the inerrancy and trustworthiness of Scripture, and the centrality of Holy Communion as a means of grace. Holy Communion is celebrated at the altar rail with the stipulations described above, in keeping with Lutheran confessional practice.
Online Resources and Giving
For those who want to connect before visiting, St. Peter's livestreams services on its YouTube channel, posts updates on its Facebook page, and broadcasts the 10:45 a.m. service on WAIZ 105.9 FM and 630 AM. A sermon archive goes back several years and is searchable by series, preacher, and topic. Online giving is available through the church's giving page, which accepts gifts by card and supports recurring and one-time contributions. Members can also access a members' section on the church's site.
What to Expect as a Visitor
Services at St. Peter's are held every Sunday morning at 8:10 and 10:45. The 8:10 a.m. service is a contemporary experience that still uses selected liturgical elements, while the 10:45 a.m. service is a full traditional Lutheran liturgy with hymns and organ. Sunday School for all ages meets in between at 9:30 a.m. Children are welcome at both services, and children who have not yet been instructed in the Lord's Supper are invited to come forward for a blessing rather than receive communion. The Mobile Homebound Communion at 4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday offers an alternative for those who cannot join a morning service. Visitors who want to learn more about the congregation may ask to speak with a pastor or sign up for the Adult New Member Class.